Showtime Officially Renews THE BIG C and WEEDS

Showtime has announced it has picked up new seasons of both WEEDS and THE BIG C to air sometime in 2011.

More than 6.5 million people watched the premiere episode of The Big C across various platforms, making it the network's highest-rated original series premiere in 8 years. The sixth season premiere of Weeds, which aired just before The Big C, also garnered over 6 million viewers - a record premiere episode for the series.

The Big C revolves around Cathy Jamison, a suburban mother and high school teacher who learns she has terminal cancer and decides to make the most of whatever time she has left. Weeds tells the story of drug-dealing mom Nancy Botwin and her family who have spent season six on the run after son Shane committed murder by croquet mallet.

Showtime President of Entertainment David Nevins said in a statement, The unprecedented viewership for both The Big C and Weeds proves that audiences love these shows as much as we do. There are definitely more comedic adventures in store for these fascinating, complex women. For six seasons, we've happily traveled along with Nancy Botwin and we're equally as excited to follow Laura Linney and The Big C team as they chart Cathy's unique journey through such a provocative and personal subject as cancer. We're thrilled that these two signature shows will be returning to the network in 2011.